Dispenser valve for containers for viscous fluids under pressure



2 1 5 7 M 1 m 1 8 s 2 u h S s 2 w C S I June 22 1954 J Y JA .RETT ET L- DISPENSER VALVE 5m coNTAINEQ FOR v FLUIDS UNDER PRESSURE Flled Oct 9, 1950 I v PM INVENTOR. Jerry Jarrett and y Hal 0 Berggren Afro/hays Julie 22, 1954 J. JARRETT ETAL' 2,681,752 DISPENSER VALVE FOR coummma FOR vxscous FLUIDS UNDER PRESSURE 2 Sheets-$heet 2 Filed Oct. 9, 1950 .INVENTOR. Jerry Jar/eff and Hal 6: Berggren M 11 W4 Afro/ways Patented June 22, 1954 DISPENSER VALVE FOR CONTAINERS FOR VISC OUS FLUIDS UNDER PRESSURE Jerry Jarrett and Hal 0. Berggren, San Francisco, Calif., assignors to The National Dispenser Corp., San Francisco, Calif., a corporation of California Application October 9, 1950, Serial No. 189,234

10 Claims. (01. 222-394) This invention relates to new and useful mprovements in dispenser valves for containers for viscous fluids under pressure. Reference is made to our copending patent applications Ser. No. 79,944, filed January 14, 1949, now Patent No. 2,613,016, issued October 7, 1952, for Dispenser for Viscous Liquids and Valve Therefor, and Ser. No. 70,945, filed January 14, 1949, now abondoned, for a Dispenser Cap for Viscous Fluids Under Pressure.

A principal object of the present invention is the provision of means for dispensing viscous liquids under pressure such as, for example, whipped cream, pancake and wafile mix, catsup, syrup, mayonnaise, soda water, etc. The invention is particularly adaptable for the dispensing of whipped cream from a container charged with a gas such as nitrous oxide or a blend of nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide under pressure. The particular invention resides in the closure and dispensing nozzle for the container.

One of the important features of the inventions is the construction of the resilient diaphragm interposed between the apertured cover and the container to close the aperture in the cover when no fluid is being dispensed.

The present invention is intended for use with any type of container suitable to withstand the pressures commonly employed in dispensing means of this general type, said container being provided with an apertured cap. Interposed between the cap and the container is a flanged, resilient diaphragm havin a protuberance positioned and arranged so as normally to close off the aperture in the cap. Suitable means is provided so that when it is desired to dispense whipped cream or other substance the protuberance may be depressed thereby opening a passageway through the aperture in the cap. Above the cap is a suitable dispensing head which may be slipped over the cap and functions to direct the discharged liquid so that it may be deposited at the desired point. Incorporated in such head is a pin which may be depressed manually, said pin being positioned and arranged to project throughthe aperture in the cap, engage the protuberance on the diaphragm and depress the same so as to open a passageway to dispense the fluid.

The dispensing head is preferably formed of a resilient material. The head also is provided preferably with a nozzle which terminates in a flared serrated edge. If the nozzle is made of resilient material, said serrated edge assists in dispensing the viscous fluid in an, attractive pattern such as that producedbya pastry tube.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying draw ings in which similar characters of reference represent corresponding parts in each of the several views.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section through a conventional type container for viscous fluids showing one form of the invention incorporated therein.

Fig. 2 is a plan of a dispensing head employed in the modification of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a top plan of the apertured cap employed in the modification of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a top plan of the flanged diaphragm employed in the modification of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section through a modified container of conventional type showing a modified form of the invention incorporated therein.

Fig. 6 is a top plan of the dispensing head employed in the modification shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a top plan of the diaphragm employed in the modification shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a top plan of the apertured cap employed in the modification of Fig. 5.

Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a vertical section through still another modified dispensing head.

Fig. 14 is a top plan of the dispensin head shown in Fig. 13.

It is now common practice to dispense whipped cream from a container for liquid cream charged with a gas such as nitrous oxide or a blend of nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide under pressure. The liquid cream is ejected from the container through a small aperture by action of the pressure of the gas, and upon passing through the aperture is aerated and expanded in volume. This means of dispensing whipped cream has numerous advantages, all of which are preserved and enhanced by the present invention. The same principle is used to dispense other viscous fluids in containers, such as, for example, pancake and waiile batter, catsup, mayonnaise, soda water, etc.

The present invention constitutes an improvement over such dispensing apparatus in that it U tary, simpler valve structure controlling the release of the viscous fluids than other structures commonly employed, together with a cooperating dispensing head fitting over the container closure, said head incorporating a dispensing nozzle of unique structure.

The invention is subject to considerable modification in that it is capable of being used with a wide variety of different containers and container caps and also a variety of dispensing heads. Thus in the modifications shown in Fig. 1, there is illustrated a conventional metal bottle 20 of size convenient for handling, said bottle having a neck 2| of reduced diameter, the outer surface of such neck being externally threaded for engagement with screw cap 22. Said cap is provided with an aperture 23 formed in -the top surface, said aperture constituting an orifice through which is discharged the viscous fluid under gaseous pressure with which container 20 is filled. Aresilient diaphragm member as, preferably formed of rubber, is provided with an annular flange 2E5 dimensioned to be interposed between the top edge of neck 2| and the undersurfa'c'eof the top of cap '22. Thus as cap '22 is screwed down on neck 2|, flange 25 is pinched between the neck and cap, thereby acting "as a gasket, sealing, on" the leakage of fluid through the threaded connection between the cap and the neck. Flange 26 also functions to hold diaphragm 24 'in proper position relative to cap 22. Below flange 26 is a short integral sleeve portion 27 of generally cylindrical configuration, the outer diameter of said sleeve portion being substantially equal to'the inner diameter of neck 2 Diaphragm" 24 is firmly and accurately seated in the container neck 2|, and upon cap 22 being tightened, flange .26 looks said diaphragm in position. A spheroidal domed 'portion'28, with the dome pointed upward, constituted the central porticnof diaphragm 24. A protuberance 29, which maybe spheroidalin form, is located on the upper portion of dome'28, though not necessarily in the center thereof. A plurality of holes 3| is formed in dome portion 28, three holes, equally angularly spaced, as shown in Fig. 4:. Ob-

viously, more or less than three holes may be provided in thedome portion "28. "The function of protuberance -29 will hereinafter appear. It will --beobserved, by reason o f the resilient nature of dome 28 and its spheroidal form, that protuberance 2 9 is biased upward.

Cap 22 is provided with an aperture 23 positioned immediately above protuberance29 in diaphragm 24, said aperture preferably being formed 'in'a depressed dimple in the top surface The function of protuberance'29 is of cap 22. to close off aperture 23.

--Fitting over the cap 22 is a dispensing head 40,=said dispensing head having a'cylindricalbase '41 "and'adome shaped top 42. The bottom rim of -cylindrical portion 4| is provided with an inwardly'disposed-bend 43 adapted to project within a groove in the exterior of cap 22 and also with aninternalshoulder :56 engaging the upper edge of cap 22. By reason-of the resiliency of the aperture 23 in cap 22. The upper en'd 'offpin |l is provided with-"a circular head 52 which maybe manually-depressed. "circular 'groove53 iscut'arou'nd the 'boss 54 in" the "underposite end of shank 5| projects through aperture 23 in cap 22 and engages protuberance 29 in diaphragm 24 so :as to retract said protuberance from said aperture. Thereupon, fluid under pressure flows through holes 3| in the dome portion 28 of the diaphragm 24 and out through aperture 23 in cap 22 into the hollow chamber portion'ifi of dispensing head 49. The diameter of shank'iii is sufficiently smaller than aperture 23-so asnot to block flow offluid. Aeration and expansion in volume takes place in the dispensing head when when released from pressure to atmosphere. Thereby cream is turned into whipped cream. Nozzle60 communicatingwith chamber 553 directs emission of the viscous'fluid from dispensing head 40. Upon release of pressureon head52, pinto retractsby reasonof the resiliency of boss 54 and the resiliency of dome 28 in diaphragm 24 thus forcing protuberance 29 upward to close off aperture23 in cap 2 2 and stop flow of fluid. The fluid pressure within container 26 acts against the underside of'protuberance 29 to assist in maintaining aperture 2'3closed during intervals between dispensing, it being understood that the pressure on either side of dome 28 is equalized by reason of holes '3l in the dome 28.

Nozzle 60 in head 40 is preferably made of a resilient material, such as rubber, as is the rest of the dispensing head. The outer end of said nozzle is deeply serrated so that as the viscous fluid flows out through the nozzle, the resilient serrationsfil flare outward, which improves the appearance of the dispensed fluid as well as serv- "ing as a convenient means for directing said'fluid in the desired place of deposit. .Resilient serrations 6| tend to prevent the 'fluid from being ejected'too rapidly, thereby preventing squirt- "isofthe crowntype, the skirt 12 of which is clinched 'over "resilient beadT'S at the lip of the neck 14 of said container. Diaphragm 16 is similarin' shape and function to diaphragmid shown -in"Figs. 1 and 4; Thus, there is "provided an'anrim of'bead 'IB andtheiundersid'e of 'the' top-of cap 1 functioning as a gasket assistingin'seal- 7 ing the container. Depending from said'flange "H is a short" tubular portion 18 Of cylindrical shape having an outside diametensubstantially equal to the inner diameter of the bead T3 at the lip of neck "74, thereby accurately centering and locating said diaphragm "with respect'to -cap H. A resilient domeTQ is disposed centrally of said-diaphragm, pointing upward and having'a protuberance, that .or near its upper .ip'ortion. Holes 82,-two in number. in this m'cidifica'tiomare V formed in dome portion "19.

Cap l l '7, which may be of a conventional crown cap type, is provided with aperture. 9| located immediately above- ,protuberance 18 I. so thatathe resiliency of diaphragm 16 tends to force iprotuberance 8| against said aperture 9|..and..-close :=:the container.

A':-dispensingi headEIQB.is sprovided mag otssaid c'ap Lt-and sealing therewith;..s'aid head being 5. generally semi-spheroidal in shape, with an inturned rim 11 adjacent its lower edge which fits over the lower edge of skirt 12 of crown cap H and prevents said head 90 from being forced away from cap 12. Pin IOI passes through boss I02 disposed internally of said dispensing head 96. Pin I M is provided with an external head I03 at one end and the other end of the shank I04 thereof is of a diameter less than the diameter of aperture 9I. Thus, when pin head I03 is manually depressed, shank I04 depresses protuberance III of diaphragm 16 and opens communications from container 10 through holes 82 in dome portion 19 of diaphragm 16 and thence through aperture 9| and into chamber I within head 96 and thence out through serrated nozzle I01, the shape thereof being generally similar to nozzle 60 of the modification shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The resiliency of diaphragm 10 and head 96 bias pin IOI outward when pressure against pin head I03 is released.

In Figs. 9 and 10 is shown a modified form of dispenser head I20. Said head I20 is in the form of a cylindrical shell having skirt I2I with an internal diameter such as to form a tight seal when said head is forced over skirt 12 of crown cap 1| of the container. Hook I22 is fixed to the bottom of skirt I2I, said hook being formed so as to fasten under the bottom edge of the skirt 12 of cap II. Diametrically opposite said hook I22 is finger hold I23 fixed to the upper edge of skirt I2I which may be manually depressed. Pin I26 is embedded in the top of the head I20, said pin having its shank positioned immediately above, and of a diameter such as to project within aperture 9| in cap I20 and thus depress protuberance 8| in diaphragm 16. Nozzle I30 communicating with the interior chamber I3I of head I20 is of the general configuration of nozzle I01 shown in the modification of Figs. and 6. In use, head I20 is slipped over crown cap H and the operator then depresses finger hold I23 which forces pin I26 against protuberance BI and establishes communication from the interior of the container through holes 82, through aperture 9|, through chamber I3I, and thence out through nozzle I30.

The modification shown in Figs. 11 and 12 employs a shell-like head I35 having two diametrically opposed finger holds I36 fixed to the lower edge of skirt I31 of head I35. The interior of skirt I31 slips tightly over an apertured cap (not shown) on the container. Pin I33 is embedded in the top of head I35, said pin functioning in a manner similar to pin I26 in the modification shown in Fig. 9. Instead of a nozzle such as I30 or I01, a plurality of holes I39 is placed in the top fiat surface I4I of head I35 so that fluid is ejected through said holes I39 upon communication being established with the interior of the container. It will be observed that preferably the sides of head I35 are tapered inwardly as shown by reference numeral I42 so as to direct said fluid toward said holes I 39. In use, the operator places head I35 over the crown cap and then by the use of two fingers, one on each of the finger holds I36, forces said head I35 downwardly toward the neck of the container, the shank of pin I33 penetrating the aperture in the cap and depressing the protuberance of a diaphragm beneath the crown cap, thereby permitting fluid to flow out through holes I39 in the top of head I35.

The modification shown in Figs. 13 and 14 is quite similar in construction to that shown in Figs. 11 and 12, except that whereas head I35 is shallow, the inwardly inclined portion I5I of head I52 is elongated so that head I35 assumes the shape of an elongated, truncated, conical section. The centrally disposed holes I 53, pin I54 and diametrically opposed finger holds I55 are similar to the corresponding elements shown in Figs. 11 and 12.

It will be understood that all of the dispensing heads heretofore described are preferably removable so that when the container is empty, it may be discarded or returned for refilling, whereas the dispensing head may be used with a fresh container. It will further be observed that since the dispensing head is removable, it maybe removed and cleaned frequently, thereby preventing the growth of bacteria within the head and atop the cap. The only exposed portion of the diaphragm is the protuberance projecting through the aperture in the cap and this also may readily be cleaned. The interior of the container is sealed at all times except when the contents are being dispensed.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention and scope of the claims appended hereto.

We claim:

1. A dispensing valve for a pressurized fluid container comprising; an apertured cap for said container and an apertured resilient diaphragm within said container fixed adjacent said cap, said diaphragm comprising an annular flange dimensioned to form a sealing gasket between said cap and said container, a central apertured portion on said diaphragm, a protuberanceon said central portion positioned for closing the aperture in said cap, said diaphragm beingbiased toward said cap, an outer apertured hollow member enclosing said cap, and means carriedby said outer member positioned to contact said protuberance so that said diaphragm may be depressed by manual operation of said last named means.

2. A dispensing valve for a pressurized fluid container comprising; an apertured cap for said container and an apertured diaphragm within said container fixed adjacent said cap, said diaphragm comprising an annular flange dimensioned to form a sealing gasket between said cap and said container, a sleeve portion depending from said flange, a central apertured domed portion joined at its lower edge to the lower edge of said sleeve portion, a protuberance on said central portion positioned for closing the aperture in said cap, said diaphragm being biased toward said cap, there being a cavity of substantial volume at all times above said domed portion and under said cap, said cavity providing a passageway from the aperture in said domed portion to the aperture in said cap.

3. In combination, a pressurized fluid container, an apertured cap for said container and an apertured resilient diaphragm within said container fixed adjacent said cap, said diaphragm comprising means locating said diaphragm relative to said cap and a protuberance for closing the aperture. in said cap, said diaphragm being positioned and arranged to bias said protuberance toward said aperture at least one aperture in said diaphragm, an apertured dispensing head fitting over and sealing around said cap, said container fixed adjacent said cap, said diaphragm comprisingmeans locating. said diaphragm relative to. said. cap and a protuberance-for closing the aperturein: said cap; said diaphragm being positioned. and arranged to bias; said protuberancer toward said aperture at least'one aperture ini'said diaphragm, an. apertured dispensingihead fitting over and: sealing around said cap, said lieaduincludinga resilient dome portion, a nozzle communicating fromsaid' dome and terminating in aplurality of deep,- resilient serrations, a pin dependingfrom. said dome portion manually op- V erable for retracting said protuberance from the aperture in the. cap to establish communication between the interior of said container and the atmosphere.

'5;. A resilient diaphragm for sealing an aperturedt cap to a container comprising an-annular 11am, laterally extending, flange adapted to be clinched between the container rim and the cap, a short cylinder sleeve portion depending from said flange, an upwardlypointed dome portion centrally disposedand joined at its lower edge to the lower'edge of said sleeve portion, at least one aperture. in said dome portion and an upwardly directedprotuberance on the upper surface of? said dome portion extending above the level oi said flange, the space above said domed portion and under the level of said flange being of a substantial volume, both when said protuberance is. elevated and when said protuberance is depressed.

6'. In a container for pressurized fluid, a dispensinghead'an. apertured cap over which said head fits, said-caplhaving a skirt, said dispensing head-"comprising a central chamber-forming portion, a skirt depending from said chamber-form- 'ingiportionadapted to. fit snuglyv about said skirt of sa'id cap, an aperture in saidchamber-forming portion, anapertured resilient diaphragm. dis,-

8; posed-below said cap and having a protuberance onithe upper surface thereof closing the aperture in said-cap; and apin carried by said chamberforming portion; positioned when depressed to contact said protuberance and open said aperture in said cap.

7. The combination of claim 6 in which is further provided a hook on'the lower edge of saidskirti of said head directed inwardly to engage-under the lower edge of said cap, and; a finger hold substantially diametrically opposite said hook whereby manual pressure on said finger hold forces said pin downwardly.

8. The combination of claim 6 in which is further'provided aplurality of finger holds at least two of which are diametrically opposed on the lower edge of said skirt of said head, and in which said'chamber-forming portion is in the form of a truncated; blunt cone, said pin being embedded in the truncated end and in which said apertureis located in said truncated end.

. 9. The-combination of claim 6 in which is further' provided a plurality of finger holds at least two'of which. are diametrically opposed on the lower edge of said skirt of said head, and in which said chamber-forming portion is in the form of a truncated, elongated cone, said. pin being embedded in the truncated end and in which said aperture is located in said truncated end.

10. The combination of claim 6 in which is further provided a plurality of finger holds at least two of which are diametrically opposed on the lower edge of said skirt of said head,and in which said. chamber-forming portion is in the form of a truncated cone, said pin being embedded inthe truncated end and in which said aperture is located in said truncated end.

References Cited. in the fileof this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS France Apr. 29, 1925 

